Global Learning, Local Impact: How Georgia State’s International Programs Benefit Atlanta Communities 

Editor’s note: This article is contributed through a partnership between Global Atlanta and Georgia State University’s Office of International Initiatives.

Atlanta’s vibrant international community is growing – not just through business or tourism, but through education and cultural exchange programs that bring people from around the world to learn, teach and contribute to the city’s civic life.  

Georgia State University (GSU)’s Office of International Initiatives (OII) and many GSU academic units — the Intensive English Program, College of Education and Human Development, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, and School of Public Health — play a central role in these efforts, partnering with local organizations, schools and civic groups to ensure that international programs have meaningful impacts on Atlanta residents. 

From secondary school teachers in the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (Fulbright TEA) to visiting scholars from Iraq, and from emerging African leaders in the Mandela Washington Fellowship to English learners in Clarkston and Doraville, these initiatives offer more than academic enrichment – they create community connections, expand cultural awareness and address pressing local needs. 

Georgia State programs serve the Atlanta community 

Community organizations and city partners see the programs’ impacts firsthand. For example, the Community-Based Academic English (CBAE) program in Clarkston served 110 students, representing more than 20 countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Ethiopia and Ukraine.  

Classes accommodate working students’ schedules and provide tutoring, conversation clubs and technology training, which help residents navigate life in the United States, connect with neighbors and pursue career and educational goals.  

Similarly, English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs for parents and for those navigating healthcare empower immigrant families to advocate for their children and themselves in schools and medical settings, supporting both family and community well-being. 

“The value of these programs goes far beyond the university campus,” says Beth Graham, Stakeholder Engagement Director for the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability & Resilience. “They bring global perspectives into our neighborhoods and foster cross-cultural understanding that benefits all Atlantans.” 

Strengthening Atlanta’s global ties 

Programs like the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program for Iraq and the Mandela Washington Fellowship bring emerging leaders and academics into the city, creating professional networks and collaborations with local faculty and public officials. Participants gain firsthand experience with U.S. institutions while contributing their expertise to Atlanta communities.  

AMIS Atlanta (the Atlanta Ministry with International Students) is an organization that partners with GSU and the Mandela Fellows program to help welcome young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa to Atlanta.  

“The importance of the Mandela Fellowship and other GSU programs in exposing students to organizations and activities that promote peace and global understanding serves to deepen the experience during their time away from home,” says Camille Kesler, AMIS Atlanta Executive Director.  

She adds that the rewards of these experiences can best be described by some of the participants themselves, like participant Byron Bock from Namibia, who says: 

“The [AMIS] friendship program significantly influenced my cultural understanding of Americans. More specifically, I got to see and understand the concept of ‘community’…. This was a life-changing experience that we can model in our home countries.” 

Meanwhile, programs like the Myanmar Online English Project allow students abroad to benefit from GSU faculty and students’ instruction, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a hub for innovation in global education. 

Statistics demonstrate the scope and reach of these initiatives: 

• Over 730 participants have attended the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summer Institutes and related programs. 

• Since 2013, more than 100 participants have benefited from faculty mentoring programs across multiple colleges at GSU. 

• The CBAE program currently serves over 110 students, representing more than 20 countries, with nearly 60% female participation. 

• Intensive English programs have supported Ukrainian civil servants, Uzbek English teachers and Japanese undergraduates in enhancing English skills while building local connections. 

As Atlanta continues to grow as a global city, GSU’s international programs demonstrate the profound community benefits of cross-cultural learning. Whether through in-person exchange, online instruction or civic engagement initiatives, these programs create lasting connections that strengthen the city’s social fabric and educational landscape. 

Visit https://international.gsu.edu/ to learn more about the work of GSU’s international programs and its Office of International Initiatives.